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Huge job losses will result from plans for environmental designations around Western Isles' fishing grounds, warns Western Isles Council.

 

Shellfish processing jobs will be lost and fishermen's livliehoods attacked if a raft of marine conservation proposals are implemented, it is maintained.

 

A newly set up joint Comhairle-fisheries group demands a stop to early moves towards creating new marine nature reserves.

 

In addition, existing proposals for environmental designations around the Outer Hebrides should be "withdrawn immediately."

 

The group intends to ram up pressure on the Scottish Government, UK Government and the European Commission to make them fully aware of the impact of designations.

 

Cllr Alasdair Macleod, chair of the development committee, has kicked-off a drive against the proposals in a letter to environment minister, Richard Lochhead.

 

Mr Macleod highlighted the local fishing community is "angered at the huge economic impact on the local fish catching and processing sectors and the potential job losses" that will result from the management of inshore SACs and Marine Protected Areas."

 

He said the Comhairle and fishing communities are fundamentally opposed to designations being imposed by the Scottish Government.

 

The council believes it and the local community should have the final say on whether a designation proceeds or not.

 

 

"Marine environmental designations means job losses"

 

8 July 2015